[3.1415926 pi]

Hi, newbie here. Have been following the numerorus threads on the LT150, and now have to admit I'm seriously interested!!

I've been checking into the RPTV Tosh 50H81 (50" screen), and it can be had in my area for $2500, including shipping and tax.

I'd be willing to spend more $$$ if I thought the LT150 could give me a comparable HD 16x9 picture, and also, not having to deal with a 240 pound piece of furniture!!!

I have about an 11-12 ft throw, and I can control the ambient light coming in through the windows. If you projector mavens could answer a few questions,I'd be grateful.

1) How much for the unit with a good high gain screen?

2) Will the picture be as sharp and bright as the RPTV using a regular Dish 500 Sat. signal, and a progressive scan DVD player? I'd be watching from the near the floor on a fouton, looking up at about a 12-15 degree angle to the screen.

3) How much for replacement bulbs?

4) Will I need an external line doubler to watch a satellite signal??

5) Any other costs involved that I'm not aware of??

6) Finally, I just read a post that said HD may not be available on the 150 in the future! Should I be concerned???

Thanks for your assistance for the informationally challanged. Cheers, VB

 

[Nolan K]

1) You can get it for $2112 until sometime today when the 20% off expires (will be $2640 after that). Not sure about the screen

3) Bulbs are around $488 right now at Dell

 

[Dave E in TX]

>>1) How much for the unit with a good high gain screen?


$2400-2700 is the going rate, although Dell was offering a 20% off "consolation prize" to those who missed out on the $1700 price screwup. Figure about $265 for a good high-gain manual pull down screen.


>>2) Will the picture be as sharp and bright as the RPTV using a regular Dish 500 Sat. signal, and a progressive scan DVD player? I'd be watching from the near the floor on a fouton, looking up at about a 12-15 degree angle to the screen.


It should be as bright when using a similar size. So, if you're comparing it to a 60" Rear projection TV, I think the LT150 would have a similarly bright screen at 60". But, you'll likely have a bigger screen, which spreads the light out more. Still, its plenty bright for me, and the contrast is amazing.


I'd think it would be as sharp as any RPTV (at least any I've seen for under $5K).


>>3) How much for replacement bulbs?


$465 for the NEC ones. Supposedly the Lightware LX8 bulb works and its $389.


>>4) Will I need an external line doubler to watch a satellite signal??


No, but it does help. I bought a used DVDo for $200 and it helps a lot for satellite. As long as you have a progressive scan DVD player, DVD's will look incredible.


>>5) Any other costs involved that I'm not aware of??


Cables aren't cheap. Thats about it.


>>6) Finally, I just read a post that said HD may not be available on the 150 in the future! Should I be concerned


This affects any TV out there today. Probably even those with DVI as none of them have the decoding built in. Still, its not a forgone conclusion and I'll bet it drags out a few years before anything we own becomes obsolete. But, obsolete doesn't mean it won't work. It'll always work great for DVDs.


I've had my LT150 for a month now and I still love it!


-Dave



[This message has been edited by Dave E in TX (edited 07-26-2001).]

 

[catullus]

You can get a widescreen Tosh (56") for just a little more than $2500 at Best Buy and a number of other retailers. I believe the model now being closed out is the TW56H80.


The low light output of the 150 requires absolute control of room lighting. It also requires a high gain screen to come anywhere near the brightness of my Toshiba TW56x81. There is something thrilling about an eight-foot wide FP picture, but you must make accomodations for a 150. If you want to watch a front projector in moderate ambient light, go for as many lumens as you can get. The 150 won't do it. The 1500-lumen Mits X80U I recently tried out handled subdued ambient daylight and table lamps easily ($3800 best price).


Also, any low-resolution source (like VHS or standard definition satellite) doesn't look especially good on any front projector, because the projector is enlarging the deficiencies in the image. I use my Toshiba for most casual viewing, the front projector for lights-out DVD.


Mike